Chris Cumming is a mud-encrusted 13-year-old with possibly the best job ever.

The teenager from Rostrevor has just been signed by the Nukeproof bike company to test their latest mountain bikes, putting the top-end gear through its strides and helping iron out any little glitches.

Chris only learned to ride a bike aged seven but already he has his eyes on a career in the fast moving world and plans to take the world champion crown.

His mother Jennifer said: “This is his life and we are dedicated to helping him in any way we can to make his dream come true.”

Jennifer and husband Mark run the East Coast Adventure company in Co Down and opened their trail head services with the launch of the Rostrevor Mountain Bike Trails in the summer three years ago.

Jennifer said: “We run the bike hire and the tuition courses for the trails which are great fun and we have the uplift service for Rostrevor’s two Downhill Trails, Black & Red Cross Country Loops.

“When Chris is not at school, he’s on his bikes on the trails practising.

“He is deadly seriously about his career. He plans to be the best in the world, he plans to make a career out of this and his dad and I really think he can.

“Most weekends we pack up the camper van and head off to some competition or other and every time he does really well.

“He’s a real daredevil and to be honest I get quite nervous about him on the tracks because he’s negotiated boulders and trees in bouncy, muddy paths at quite a speed.

“I tend to wait at the finish line instead of going to the top because I just want him down safe and sound.”

And Chris has suffered a few serious tumbles over the last few years.

Jennifer said: “He has broken his collar bone, his elbow and wrist and he has been in real pain but Chris has never complained and he heals fast and is straight back on the bike as soon as he can.

Biking's a dirty game for young Chris

“When he got the call to say he had been chosen to be the new face, the new tester for Nukeproof on the youth development team which we are all really excited about.”

The Nukeproof Development team was created to help the cream of young riders from across Ireland showcase their talents.

Rob Sherratt, Nukeproof marketing manager of the company, said: “With being out off the UK’s spotlight, it’s often easy to overlook the amazing scene and talented riders that lie across the Irish Channel.

“Nukeproof have a history of supporting Irish stars with riders such as Enduro World Series ace and now Cube Factory Pilot, Greg Callaghan and downhill star, Jacob Dickson, all of whom came through the program. “After a very successful 2015, the Nukeproof Development team is back, retaining Kelan Grant and Jack Crowley and welcoming juvenile racer, Chris Cumming, to the team.

“A new addition to the team is Chris Cumming, who finished 3rd overall in the Juvenile BDS and was crowned Irish National Champion as well.

“He is positive, polite, massively hyperactive and showing a passion for mountain biking to match his talent. “With Big Wood and Rostrevor on his doorstep, Chris lives to ride his bike. For 2016 he is making the transition to a new Nukeproof Pulse.”